Just because you're eating healthier doesn't mean you can't indulge in classic holiday recipes. Thanks to our spinach dip, breakfast casserole, bacon-wrapped shrimp and more, you get all your favorite Christmas dishes while staying on track. Here are the perfect ways to have your comfort food and eat it too!
22 Low-Carb Christmas Recipes
1/22
Creamy Parmesan Spinach Bake
Total Time
55 min
Servings
12 servings (1/2 cup each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My creamy, comforting side dish wonderfully rounds out any holiday dinner. Just a little of this rich casserole goes a long way. —Jennifer Bley, Austin, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 196 calories, 14g fat (8g saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 394mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
2/22
Slow-Cooker Beef Bourguignon
Total Time
8 hours 30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I’d wanted to make boeuf bourguignon (beef Burgundy) ever since I got one of Julia Child’s cookbooks, but I wanted to find a way to fix it in a slow cooker. My slow-cooker boeuf bourguignon is still rich, hearty and delicious, but there's no need to watch it on the stovetop or in the oven. —Crystal Jo Bruns, Iliff, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
2/3 cup beef mixture (calculated without noodles): 289 calories, 15g fat (5g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 350mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 1g fiber), 25g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 fat, 1 vegetable.
3/22
Christmas Breakfast Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After church on Christmas morning, our family enjoys this easy, make-ahead casserole. I’d also recommend this Christmas morning breakfast casserole for a special brunch any time of the year. —Maryellen Hays, Wolcottville, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 291 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 202mg cholesterol, 677mg sodium, 17g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 18g protein.
4/22
Ham & Gruyere Mini Quiches
Total Time
50 min
Servings
10 mini quiches
From the Recipe Creator:
When you make this in muffin cups, each person gets a quiche. I have also doubled the recipe and used jumbo muffin cups; bake about 10 minutes longer. —Gena Stout, Ravenden, Arkansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini quiche: 144 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 112mg cholesterol, 323mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 12g protein.
5/22
Thyme-Roasted Carrots
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Cutting the carrots lengthwise makes this dish look extra pretty. For a little more elegance and color, garnish with sprigs of fresh thyme or parsley. —Deirdre Cox, Kansas City, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
2 carrot halves: 73 calories, 3g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 275mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 1/2 starch, 1/2 fat.
6/22
Spinach Dip-Stuffed Mushrooms
Total Time
40 min
Servings
16 appetizers
From the Recipe Creator:
I use a melon baller to hollow out the mushroom caps and make them easier to stuff. The apps fit neatly into muffin tins or a deviled egg tray for traveling. —Ashley Pierce, Brantford, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed mushroom: 44 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
7/22
Ham 'n' Cheese Omelet Roll
Total Time
50 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This brunch dish has easy ingredients and an impressive look all rolled into one! I love hosting brunch, and this special omelet roll is one of my very favorite items to prepare and share. A platter of these pretty swirled slices disappears fast. —Nancy Daugherty, Portland, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 239 calories, 17g fat (9g saturated fat), 260mg cholesterol, 637mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 17g protein.
8/22
Chicken Mole
Total Time
6 hours 25 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you’re not familiar with chicken mole (pronounced mo-LAY), don’t be afraid of this versatile Mexican sauce. I love sharing this chicken mole recipe because it’s a great one to experiment with. —Darlene Morris, Franklinton, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1/3 cup sauce: 311 calories, 18g fat (5g saturated fat), 86mg cholesterol, 378mg sodium, 12g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 3g fiber), 26g protein.
9/22
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
Total Time
25 min
Servings
1-1/2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Bacon and shrimp make a great team in this super-easy party appetizer. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 93 calories, 7g fat (2g saturated fat), 40mg cholesterol, 189mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
10/22
Cauliflower Casserole
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
To dress up cauliflower, Mom used a delightful mixture of a cheesy sauce, bright red and green pepper pieces and crushed cornflakes. Leftovers were rare. —Linda McGinty, Parma, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 162 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 503mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 7g protein.
11/22
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Total Time
35 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
I like to dunk these appetizer meatballs in blue cheese or ranch salad dressing. If I make them for a meal, I often skip the dressing and serve with blue cheese polenta on the side. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 meatball: 33 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 338mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
12/22
Brussels Sprouts au Gratin
Total Time
45 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
In our house, Brussels sprouts have always been sought after. When I topped them with a creamy sauce, Swiss cheese and bread crumbs, it became a new holiday dinner tradition. —Gwen Gregory, Rio Oso, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 283 calories, 22g fat (13g saturated fat), 60mg cholesterol, 340mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 8g protein.
13/22
Blue Cheese & Bacon Stuffed Peppers
Total Time
20 min
Servings
1 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Whenever I put out a plate of these cute little appetizers, people come flocking. Good thing there are lots of peppers in each bag. —Tara Cruz, Kersey, Colorado
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 73 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 136mg sodium, 3g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
14/22
Pork Satay
Total Time
30 min
Servings
20 servings (about 3/4 cup sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
Cilantro layers on the freshness, while the sesame oil and Thai chili sauce add Asian flavors that pair perfectly with peanut butter. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 skewer with about 2 teaspoons sauce: 73 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 13mg cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
15/22
Walnut-Filled Pillows
Total Time
40 min
Servings
28 cookies
From the Recipe Creator:
These tender cookie pillows, filled with a delicious walnut mixture, are my husband's favorite. He says it wouldn't be Christmas without them. —Nancy Kostrej, Canonsburg, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 84 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 45mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
16/22
New Orleans-Style Spicy Shrimp
Total Time
35 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We have family members who attended college in New Orleans. This shrimp captures their favorite flavors from the Big Easy, with the right touches of spice and heat. —Susan Seymour, Valatie, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without bread): 242 calories, 12g fat (7g saturated fat), 211mg cholesterol, 940mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 25g protein.
17/22
Creme de Menthe Cream Puff Tree
Total Time
1 hour 55 min
Servings
60 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
A tower of creme de menthe-flavored puffs makes a spectacular centerpiece for your dessert table. Guests will have this sumptuous pyramid deconstructed in no time at all! —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 mini cream puff: 96 calories, 7g fat (4g saturated fat), 37mg cholesterol, 31mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 1g protein.
18/22
Seafood Gumbo
Total Time
50 min
Servings
24 servings (6 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
Gumbo is one of the dishes that make Louisiana cuisine so famous. We live across the state line in Texas and can’t seem to get enough of this traditional Cajun dish that features okra, shrimp, spicy seasonings and what is called the holy trinity—onions, green peppers and celery. This recipe calls for seafood, but you could also use chicken, duck or sausage. —Ruth Aubey, San Antonio, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 166 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 96mg cholesterol, 900mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 2g fiber), 10g protein.
19/22
Baklava Tartlets
Total Time
25 min
Servings
45 tartlets
From the Recipe Creator:
Want a quick treat that's delicious and easy to make? These tartlets will do the trick. You can serve them right away, but they're even better after chilling for about an hour in the refrigerator. —Ashley Eagon, Kettering, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 tartlet: 76 calories, 5g fat (1g saturated fat), 5mg cholesterol, 24mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
20/22
Collard Greens with Bacon
Total Time
1 hour 20 min
Servings
9 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Collard greens are a staple vegetable of southern cuisine. This side dish is often made with smoked or salt-cured meats, such as ham hocks, pork or fatback. —Marsha Ankeney, Niceville, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 157 calories, 10g fat (4g saturated fat), 12mg cholesterol, 651mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 5g fiber), 7g protein.
21/22
Antipasto Cups
Total Time
30 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Turn salami slices into appetizer shells to fill with the veggies and cheese of your choice. —Melissa Obernesser, Utica, New York
Nutrition Facts:
1 appetizer: 87 calories, 6g fat (3g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 325mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein.
22/22
Bacon and Egg Casserole
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because it's fast to fix and such a great hit with family and friends, this egg casserole with bacon is a favorite of mine to make for brunches. Served with a fruit salad, hot muffins and croissants, it's excellent for an after-church meal. —Deanna Durward-Orr, Windsor, Ontario
Nutrition Facts:
1 each: 289 calories, 22g fat (10g saturated fat), 420mg cholesterol, 508mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 16g protein.